Apparatus for aligning and holding type blocks for soldering



NOV- 4, 1952 J. c. vl-:LTMAN ErAl. 2,616,383

, APPARATUS FOR ALIGNING AND HOLDING TYPE BLOCKS FOR SOLDERING Filed Sept. 6, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet l I @XO www@ .Nov. 4, 1952 J. c. VELTMAN l-:rAL

APPARATUS FOR ALIONING ANO HOLDING TYPE BLOCKS FOR SOLDERING 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 6 1946 Nov. 4, 1952 J. c. vEL'rMAN ETAL 2,616,383

APPARATUS FOR ALIGNING AND HOLDING TYPE BLOCKS FOR SOLDERING 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 6, 1946 F H Ii MW NOV- 4, 1952 J. c'. VELTMAN ETAL 2,616,383

APPARATUS FOR ALIGNING AND HOLDING TYPE BLOCKS FOR soLDERING Filed Sept. 6, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 48 /A/ A/EA/ ro @s z Joh/M C. VEL TMA/v, wu L m M 0 /V/c HEL 55M Patented Nov. 4, 1952 APPARATUS FOR ALIGNING AND HOLDING TYPE BLOCKS FOR SOLDERING John C. Veltman and William O. Michelsen, St. Louis County, Mo., assignors to The Emerson Electric Manufacturing Company, St. Louis, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Application September 6, 1946, Serial No. 695,146

6 Claims. 1

' The present invention relates generally to the typewriter art, and more particularly to a device for and a method of aligning and soldering type.

Heretofore, there has existed in the typewriter art the problem of efficiently and accurately soldering type blocks to type bars to eliminate hand aligning, a time consuming operation, after the soldering step is completed. It is essential that the bars, with their type blocks, be ultimately accurately aligned in the finished typewriter in order to produce a straight writing line on the typewritten sheet, to space each character the proper distance from adjacent characters, and to secure simultaneous contact of the type on the paper and the type bar on the segment ring` as each type bar is actuated to printing position by depression of a key, the imprint on the paper at a common point is in proper relation to every other type block. A tolerance of only plus or minus two thousandths of an inch (1902") is allowed. Although many methods of type aligning and soldering have been tried on as many devices, none has achieved the success factor in respect to subsequent hand aligning which has long been sought.

The present invention is a solution to the long standing problem and achieves efficient and accurate type aligning, reducing to a negligible percentage the number of type bars with their type blocks which must be hand aligned.

An object of the present invention is to provide a novel type aligning and soldering device which se efciently and accurately aligns the type block and associated type bar for soldering that the percentage of hand alignments required thereaiterwards is negligible.

Another object is to provide a novel method of aligning and soldering type blocks to type bars which is accurate to the point of reducing to a negligible percentage the number of assembled units that require hand aligning after completion of the operation.

Another object is toprovide a novel type aligning and soldering device which is adapted to receive a segment assembly including the pivoted type bars and by which type blocks, with their respective characters, are accurately soldered to the type bars so that a straight writing line, an unblurred imprint, and proper spacing of characters obtain in respect to a typewritten sheet after the segment assembly is mounted in a. typewriter frame in proper relation to the other elements of the typewriter.

Another object is to provide a novel type aligning and soldering device by which type blocks are accurately located and rmly held in a position to receive a type bar for soldering thereto.

Another object is top rovide a novel type aligning and soldering device by which a plurality of segment assemblies may be completed to include soldered type blocks with the type blocks of the several assemblies disposed in the same relation to each other.

Another object is to provide a novel method of aligning and soldering type blocks to type bars, which may be readily followed by an operator with production of high quality workmanship.

Other objects are to provide a novel type aligning and soldering device which is simple'and compact in construction, which is inexpensive to make, which is long lasting in operation, which is positive in action, which may be readily handled by the operator, and from which high quality workmanship may be achieved with a minimum of instruction.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages are apparent from the following description taken with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a type aligning and soldering device constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a type bar segment with a single type ibar ,being shown thereon;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary vertical sectional View taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view, looking in the direction of the arrow A shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged top plan view of the type locating plate assembly;

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of the type locating plate assembly, looking in the direction of the arrow B of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the device similar to Fig. 1, but with the aligning device and type bar hold-down lever in inoperative position and the type bar segment omitted;

Fig. 8 is a vertical transverse cross-sectional View on the line 8 8 of Fig. 7

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary bottom plan view, showing the central position of the device, the magnet being omitted;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal cross-sectional view on the line lil- IU of Fig. 1;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical cross-sectional yview on the line Ill-lil of'Fig.' 1

acics showing the relationship of the type block and type block supports;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of the type bar guide block showing the slotted ange; and

Fig. 13 is an enlarged isometric View of a type block.

Referring to the drawings more particularly by reference numerals, I indicates generallyatype aligning and soldering device constructed in accordance with the concepts of the present invention. The device I0 includes a ba's'e plate l2 of steel, or the like, of rectangular coniguration mounted at the ends on side plates I4 and i6, being secured thereto by bolts I8. The base plate i2 supports the elements V4of the device I0.

At one end of the plate l2 is a small rectanfgular type segment mounting plate 20, which is secured thereto by suitable screws 22 and dowels 24. In the base plate 2 beneath the small plate 28 are three spaced circular apertures 26. Conicentric with each of the apertures 26 is a small aperture 28 extending through the plate 20. A securing thumb screw 30 having a knurled head 52, an enlarged elongated base portion 3d, and a threaded reduced extension 36 fits in each of the apertures 26 with the free shoulder portion of the elongated base portion 34 abutting the underside of the plate 26 and the threaded reduced portion 85 extending through the aperture 28 to engage a threaded Yborerin a mounted type segment 30. A pair of segment centering dowels 40 is provided, each dowel 40 extending into an aperture in the plate 28 to abut the upper surface of the base plate I 2 and int'o prepared apertures in the segment 38. l

A rectangular opening 82 is provided in the plate l2 spaced a short distance from the plate 28 which extends transversely of the base plate l2. A sheath 44 of brass, or other substantially nonmagnetic material, lines the four walls of thev aperture E ar'ldvoverlapsV the lower edges thereof. A thin plate 156 ofncnrnagnetic material surrounds the opening d2 and extends to a substantial distance beyond the edges thereof. Two magnet plates i8 and 50 of iron, or other magnetic material, and or" the coniguration shown in the drawings are mounted on the Iplate 46, each being secured thereon and to thelb'a'se plate I2 by a' .pair of screws 52 and a pair of dowels 54, both the screws 52 and the dowels 54 extending well into the base plate I2`. Additional screws '53 `and dowels 55 draw the plates 48 and 50 together. The members 48 and '50 'are of the saine congation, andare insulated from each other by non` magnetic strip-s 56, 58 andf'. A permanent m'ag-- net @32 extends through the opening 42 and has its poles contacting the magnet plates 138 and v'50, as is clearly shown in the drawings (Fig. 8)

On the magnet plates 48arl'd 50 there are mounted type supportl blocks 64 and 66res'pec. tively, each being anchored by a dowel 68 and a screw l0; The type block' 'receiving surfaces 12 and 'I4 of the 'support v'blocks 64 and 66,res`pcftively, are' convex (Fig. 11)- v'and are of the saine radius as the radius of the concave surface of the characters'forrn'ed 'on the type blocks 'spported thereby. Thesurface 'I2 is curved to receive the upper case characters and the surface.

which is adapted 4to receive the typeblock fel ceiving head of a type bar. The type bar guide block 16 is disposed intermediate the plate 20 and the type support blocks 64 and 66, as is clearly shown in the drawings.

The strip 56 includes an upstanding post portion 86 which pivotally supports on a screw pivot 88 a bell crank lever 90, one arm 92 of which terminates in a portion 94 formed as the arc of aecircle, the other arm 06 being formed as a thumb piece tfor pivoting the bell crank 90. A stop tab 08, formed integral with the arm 96, limits pivotal movement of the bell crank lever 90 counterclock'wise (Fig. 2) by contacting the edge of the post portion 86. A spring |00 biases the bell crank 90 'clockwise when in lowered position and counterc'lockwise when in raised position, the stop 98 being positioned to permit the bell 'crank 90 to swing the spring |00 past the screw pivot 88 in raising Sinovement.

aligning device |02 is mounted on the vplate I2 in spaced relation 4to the above-mentionedv elements of the present invention. A pair of` includes a slot |20 of a width slightly .greaterA than the width of va type block. Rearwardly oi"` the slot |20 is an enlarged opening |22., and near' themOunting axis of the plate |I8 is an aperture..

l'za. Formed integral with the plate Hs is a.

thumb piece |26. A slide |28 is `"mounted benea'ti'iI the A'plate ||8 for longitudinal movement in ire'-1 spect thereto on screws |30 Which extend 'through spaced slots |32 in the slide |28. At one Vend 'of i the slide |28 is an upwardly turned tip |34l which extends into the opening |22 of the plate IIB. A post |36 threadedlygengages the rearof'` the slide |28 and extends through the vofnening |24, the post |36 serving as an operating handle! for the slide |28. 'Iwo springs |38 are anchoredto spring posts |40 mounted in the plate -I I8 and' to 'downwardly turned tabs |42 formed integral withthe slide |28. The springs |38 biastneslide |28V away from the slot |20.

Operation The type segment 38 with a iu-1l set of type bars |44 (less type blocks) pivotally mounted thereon in the usual manner, and 'each type bar havingY a stop l|48 'adapted to strike the segment stop ring |50, is secured tothe plate 20 by means.

of the thumb screws v afteralignment by the dowels 40. lFor clarity 'ofl illustration, only one type bar |44 is shown in theV drawings. The 1`o= catingfplate Il''is lowered into engaging position with the Vblocks 64 and 68'. A selectedtype loloclrA ltr having a rear 'slot |52' is disposed in thesis-t |20 of the locating plate I I8 and across the type support blocks 64 7and 66With the 'upper caseV character resting on the former and the lowliiA case `character resting'on the latter, and is magnetically drawn 'thereag'ainst by a force vstrongly resisting removal yethpermitting sliding Inove.' ment foralignmen't. The type block |54 bridges',Y

the poles of the magnet 62, thecharacterdir'ectlycontacting the magnetized 'surfaces l2 and H throughout their full outlines to v'gain maximumV holding el'e'ct. Thereupomthepost |'3|"1`sll'v'edf.`

forward1y from its' position lof rest'to 'engage 'trie AA. type' block'1 tip |34 with the outer end of the type block |54 to slide the other end thereof snugly against the base of the flange 82 formed integral with the type bar guide block 16. The post '|36 is released and the spring |38 returns the slide |28 to its position of rest.

A selected type bar |44 is pivoted until the head |46 is disposed in the slot |52 of the type block |54. In this position the stop |48 of the type bar |44 abuts the stop ring |50 of the segment 33 and the head |46 is spaced from the bottom of the slot |52 of the type vblock |54 to provide a space |56 adapted to receive solder. Preferably, the free outer end edge of the head |45 is spaced slightly inwardly of the outer end edge of the type block |54 to receive solder for rounding the `combined fre'e end into a pleasing appearance (Fig. 1l).

Pivoting of the selected type b'ar |44 should direct the head |46 into the slot |52 with the stop |48 engaging the stop ring |50, failing which, the type bar |44 is adjusted by means of a suitable tool until the foregoing specified tting requirements obtain. Should `adjustment of the type bar |44 be necessary, the slide A'|28 should be moved home against the type block |54 again to insure longitudinal alignment. Thereupon the bell crank lever '90 is `pivoted clockwise so that the arcuate portion 94 vof the arm 92 engages rthe top edge of the vpositioned type bar |44. The locking plate |18 is 'raised to inoperative position. Solder is then applied in the well known manner in the space |55 between the Ihead |46 and the type block |54 and at the free ends thereof to securely engage Athe latter with the former. The soldered parts are chilled, the bell crank lever St is raised, and the type bar |44 with its now soldered type block |54 is flipped back to raised position with the other type bars. 'I'he process is repeated until all of the type bars |44 have their respective type blocks |54 soldered thereto.

After the segment assembly 38 is completed, it is removed by unthreading the thumb screws 30. The segment assembly 38 is ready for mounting in a typewriter. Inasmuch as each type bar and type block unit is accurately aligned at the time of soldering and all units are formed in the same manner, substantially no hand aligning is required after the segment assembly 38 is mounted in a typewriter. Additional segment assemblies are completed with true alignment of the type bars with their type blocks in the same manner as above described.

It is apparent that the present novel method of aligning and soldering type blocks to type bars and the present novel aligning and solder apparatus achieve the objects and ends sought. By the present method and apparatus, hand alignment of the type bar with type block after assembly is substantially eliminated, since each type block is soldered to its supporting type bar while in the same relationship as every other type block and type bar. The convex surfaces of the type support blocks 64 and 66 both accurately relate a received type block |54 to the segment 38 and provide a full magnetic gripping surface to hold the received type block |54 in position during the soldering operation. Each stop 543 will strike the stop ring |50 simultaneously as the respective type block |54 strikes a platen. Since the `magnet 62 and its auxiliary poles are insulated from the remaining parts of the aligning device, a very strong magnetic effect is obtained to hold the received type block |54 in place.

It is to be understood that the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings have been given 'by way of illustration and example. It is also to be understood that changes in form of the several parts, substitution of equivalent elements and rearrangement of parts which will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art are contemplated as within the scope of the present invention, which is limited only by the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

l. A type aligning device comprising a base, type bleek receiving means on the base vinclud-ing a pair of magnetically insulated members each adapted to receive a type character of a received type block, mechanical means including a member pivotally mounted on the base adapted ffor aligning a received 'type block laterally, mechanical means for aligning a received type block longitudinally including means movable longitudinally of and connected to said pivoted member adapted to move a received type block longitudinally, and means for holding a received type block in aiigned position including a magnet disposed to 'eifectuate sai-d pair of magnetically insulated members as the two poles thereof and means on the base for receiving and holding a segmental assembly so that the type bars will properiy engage the type blocks when the latter are aligned.

2. A type Valigning device comprising a base, type block receiving means on the base including a pair of magnetically insulated members each adapted to receive a type character of a received type block, each of said members having a convex type character receiving surface of substantially the same degree of curvature as received type characters, means including a member pivotally mounted on the base adapted for aligning a received type block laterally, means for aligning a received type block longitudinally including means movable longitudinally of and connected to said pivoted member adapted to move a received type block longitudinally, and means for holding a received type block in aligned position including a magnet disposed to effectuate said pair of magnetically insulated members as the two poles thereof and means on the base for receiving and holding a segmental assembly so that the type bars will properly engage the type blocks when the latter are aligned.

3. A type aligning device comprising a base, means on the base for receiving and holding a type block including spaced magnetized elements insulated from each other, a member pivotally mounted on the base and including a slot adapted to receive and to align laterally a type block held by said receiving and holding means, a slide movable longitudinally of and connected to said pivoted member adapted to move a held type block longitudinally, a stop mounted on the base against which a type bar is moved, and means on the base for receiving and holding a segment assembly so that the type bars will properly engage the type blocks when the latter are aligned.

4. A type aligning device comprising a base, type block receiving means including a pair of spaced members magnetically insulated from each other and from the base, each of said members having a convex-shaped receiving surface of substantially the same curvature as a typewriter platen and adapted to receive a type character of a received type block, means including a member pivotally mounted on the base adapted for aligning a received type block laterally, means for aligning a received type block longitudinally including means movable longitudinally of and connected t0 said pivoted member adapted to move a received type block longitudinally, and means for holding a received type block in aligned position including a magnetized member disposed to eiectuate said pair of magnetically insulated members as the two poles thereof and means on the base for receiving and holding a segmental assembly so that the type bars will properly engage the type blocks when the latter are aligned.

5. A type aligning device comprising a base, type block receiving means on the base including a pair of spaced members magnetically insulated from each other and from the base, each of said members having a convex-shaped receiving surface adapted to receive a type character of a received type block, a member pivotally mounted on the base and including a slot adapted to receive and to align laterally a type block supported by said receiving means, a slide movable longitudinally of and connected to said pivoted member adapted to move a received type block longitudinally, means for holding a received type block in aligned position including a. magnetized member disposed to eectuate said pair of magnetically insulated members as the two poles thereof, and means on the base for receiving and holding a segment assembly so that the type bars will properly engage the type blocks when the latter are aligned.

6. A type aligning device, comprising a base; means on the base for receiving and yieldably holding a type block including spaced magnetized elements insulated from each other; an aligning member pivotally mounted on the base and including a slot to receive and laterally align a type block held by said receiving and holding means; a slide member slidably mounted on the aligning member for limited longitudinal movement relative thereto for moving a held type block longitudinally; yieldable means having one end xed relative to the base urging the slide member away from a held type block; and means on the base for receiving and holding a segment assembly so that the type bars will properly engage the type blocks when the latter are aligned.

JOHN C. VEL'I'MAN. WILLIAM O. MICHELSEN.

REFERENCES CITED 'Ihe following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,063,816 McLaughlin June 3, 1913 1,587,429 Seib June 1, 1926 1,751,761 Rodrian Mar. 25, 1930 1,886,257 Brisbois Nov. 1, 1932 1,890,659 Thorell Dec. 13, 1932 1,897,983 Koca Feb. 14, 1933 2,066,980 Koca Jan. 5, 1937 2,220,491 Petz et al. Nov. 5, 1940 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 339,864 Germany Aug. 16, 1921 533,340 Great Britain Feb. 11, 1941 

